Has a post ever changed your mind?

[crossroad]

fo·rum

A public meeting place for open discussion.
A medium of open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper or a radio or television program.
A public meeting or presentation involving a discussion usually among experts and often including audience participation.
A court of law; a tribunal.

Has a post ever changed your mind?

Being one of the new guys, I have found that the forums are a great place to be heard, but is anyone really listening? Are people here just looking for the next opportunity to give their opinion? What do you think?

[English assassin]

On occassion. Don Corleone and Econ21 come to mind.

And even the many posts that do not change my mind make me better informed about other peoples points of view, which is not to be sniffed at.

[spmetla]

Yeah posts have changed my mind a few times. It all depends how the information was presented and here and in the Monastery there's quite a few people who know how to present an argument and are wise enough to post links to a source. Then I usually scoure the net for a while for more information.

[doc_bean]

Well yes, especially when I first came here the 'right wing' changed my view on a couple of issues, and made me see through the left wing bias that is so prominent in Europe. Of course, with the grievous loss of Don Corleone (we miss you Don !) the right wing has lost a lot of its power.

[rory_20_uk]

Of course! To come here and not have any view changed at all one would have to be rather... odd.

Sometimes I didn't know all the facts. Sometimes I thought I did but was wrong. Sometimes I had never had an argument put in a certain way before.

Keep it up everyone! :thumbsup:

~:smoking:

[Lemur]

When you consider the wide swath of educated, intelligent people who post on the Org, you'd have to be a bit thick to not have your views changed every now and then.

My favorite exchanges have been the ones where I come away with new information or a changed perspective.

[Devastatin Dave]

Many, many times.

What happened with Don?

[doc_bean]

He has a kid now...

(not much else that I know of)

[Lemur]

He has a kid now...
That is no excuse. Take it from a fertile lemur, children do not have to end your Org habit.

[Devastatin Dave]

He'll be back.:2thumbsup:

[yesdachi]

Never, I am always right and I am all knowing!

:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

I am kind of pig-headed but I’ve had my mind changed a few times, especially on topics/issues that are from places outside the US. I really enjoy the outside perspective, whether it is from another country, religion or education. Hats off to the org’s diversity and thanks to everyone that keeps my day from getting stale.

[A.Saturnus]

A few posts have convinced me that the poster is actually an ignorant asshole with no manners what so ever, which I didn't think before. You learn something every day...

[solypsist]

anyone who publicly and categorically answers with "no" in this thread will most likely find themselves drummed out of the backroom.
"no" is the answer used only by spammers and cut&paste users.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Like most others, I find I learn a great deal even from those I disagree with. Sometimes they persuade me to think again, and every now and then, to change my mind.

I don't think any of us would enjoy the Backroom as much if there wasn't the odd chance we would make an impact. Though it does seem sometimes that there are topics that will never be more than a flame fest.

[Devastatin Dave]

anyone who publicly and categorically answers with "no" in this thread will most likely find themselves drummed out of the backroom.
"no" is the answer used only by spammers and cut&paste users.
Really?:idea2:


+1

[KafirChobee]

Someone once said (in effect), "Those unwilling to change are trapped in their own minds, with no way out."

Changing ones mind set is a progression of small steps toward the enlightenment that different points of view are not neccessarily wrong - or entirely misguided - but, should be re-examine from time to time. Taking the best of those ideas, concepts, precepts, and theorums to incorporate into ones own growing awareness.

Discounting anothers view out of hand - unless it is based purely on prejudices - weakens one ability to grow. Intellectually and as a humanbeing.

Unless. You mean politics. j/k :shame:

[Red Peasant]

I like reading POV's that I radically disagree with, and while they have never changed my opinion at a fundamental level, they have moderated my opinions and raised awareness of other dimensions to an argument or debate. That is invaluable. On other subjects, less radical you might say, I have occasionally altered my POV significantly.

[Kralizec]

Has a post ever changed your mind?

Some posters here have made me reconsider my position plenty of times, and a few times I've indeed changed my mind.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Couple of times, yes.

[Byzantine Prince]

Every post changes me in some way. I learn from other people even if I disagree.


A few posts have convinced me that the poster is actually an ignorant asshole with no manners what so ever, which I didn't think before. You learn something every day...
Why so harsh? :sweatdrop:
I wasn't THAT rude.

[PanzerJaeger]

Actually, those who hold similar general views on various issues (rightwingers) have helped me refine my positions far more than those on the left. Leftist opinions are fairly easy to predict and I have long since rationalized them into obscurity in my own mind.

[JAG]

Changed my mind is far too strong, no one here has forced me to alter my way of thinking that it could be called a change of direction. Does that mean no one here has made me think hard about my position? No, that happens a lot.

Though that doesn't mean I don't change my position after reading / seeing other things, I am only 20 I don't believe I know everything.

[Divinus Arma]

1st of all, welcome to the backroom. Enjoy the merry-go-round.

To answer the question ; Yes. One of the major reasons I stalk this forum is to get a glimpse of the other side. Usually, liberal post do not reaffirm my conservative views. I actually become more conservative.

Every liberal drip in the bucket forces me to add an extra sandbag to my watershed. :laugh4:

In all seriousness, I have seen both sides and forced myself to consider views which I would not normally consider.

As an example, I forced myself to reevauate the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Ultimtaely, I came to the same conclusion, but I engaged in an analysis of my motivations that would not otherwise be undertaken without outside influence.

That is why I believe it is important to get the perspective of both the liberal mainstream media and the right wing crowd. I refuse to be a partisan robot.

My recent rants against the GOP (immigration, spending, & federal power) should testify on my behalf here.

Anyway. GAH!